#16 PSU vs #22 Michigan - Match Thread - 10/01/16
Oct 3, 2016 14:00:25 GMT -5
nyline, traveler, and 1 more like this
Post by phillytom on Oct 3, 2016 14:00:25 GMT -5
Just saw the UM match for the first time (thank you BTNPlus -- $10 a month not a bad deal) First time I've seen match action this year. Some of this will repeat what others observed, but ...
1) Serving was a really big factor in the match. Holcomb, Frantti, Detering, Pierce and Washington all serving tough. Washington killed them at the start of the 3rd set.
2) Detering is a tough -- maybe even ferocious -- competitor. Watch her body language. I think she has changed the chemistry. She has a good feel for how to keep another team off balance. That is part of the key to beating teams that have better size up front than PSU is going to have. They're getting really good leadership from Detering and White. Up 2 sets, she had an aggressive (and creative) dump at the start of the 3rd set to spark a serving run for Washington. The play just showed she doesn't relax, she's not passive she is always active and pushing for advantage. That is so important. It looks like this team doesn't coast when they get ahead.
3) They did an incredible job on Abby Cole who is one of the best in the country. Cole hit 0.87 percent on 23 touches -- that is not a misprint. 0.87 percent. That may not happen to her again this whole season. Obviously handling Cole like that is great coaching and gameplanning, but the players are pulling it off. They weren't intimidated by Cole -- in fact toward the end of the match it was Cole who just looked extremely frustrated.
4) Really liking the back row play. This group has great skills and quickness. Even with all the new players they are playing positionally smart, plus digging a really high percentage of the diggable balls. For the most part just challenging everything. Which of course this team is going to have to do because it doesn't have the dominant front line we're accustomed to.
5) Blocking is more uneven but they're getting some good blocking moments too. Seems like Simone Lee is really growing into an impact player offensively and defensively.
1) Serving was a really big factor in the match. Holcomb, Frantti, Detering, Pierce and Washington all serving tough. Washington killed them at the start of the 3rd set.
2) Detering is a tough -- maybe even ferocious -- competitor. Watch her body language. I think she has changed the chemistry. She has a good feel for how to keep another team off balance. That is part of the key to beating teams that have better size up front than PSU is going to have. They're getting really good leadership from Detering and White. Up 2 sets, she had an aggressive (and creative) dump at the start of the 3rd set to spark a serving run for Washington. The play just showed she doesn't relax, she's not passive she is always active and pushing for advantage. That is so important. It looks like this team doesn't coast when they get ahead.
3) They did an incredible job on Abby Cole who is one of the best in the country. Cole hit 0.87 percent on 23 touches -- that is not a misprint. 0.87 percent. That may not happen to her again this whole season. Obviously handling Cole like that is great coaching and gameplanning, but the players are pulling it off. They weren't intimidated by Cole -- in fact toward the end of the match it was Cole who just looked extremely frustrated.
4) Really liking the back row play. This group has great skills and quickness. Even with all the new players they are playing positionally smart, plus digging a really high percentage of the diggable balls. For the most part just challenging everything. Which of course this team is going to have to do because it doesn't have the dominant front line we're accustomed to.
5) Blocking is more uneven but they're getting some good blocking moments too. Seems like Simone Lee is really growing into an impact player offensively and defensively.
